Qualifications of Doctors Who Treat Sleep Apnea

With sleep apnea, properly determining the cause and the most effective treatment for you can only be done by a qualified sleep specialist. Sleep specialists are defined as doctors who diagnose and treat people who have sleep problems. Yet, there are a number of sleep specialists that come from a variety of medical backgrounds. A number of lung specialists, otolaryngologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, dentists, and even primary care physicians have special training in sleep disorders.

The first step recommended in determining if you have sleep apnea is by reviewing your known symptoms with your primary care physician. By previously keeping a sleep diary that consists of when you went to sleep, how often you wake up, and how you feel when you are awake, a more thorough exam can be done with your doctor. Having your doctor look over any previous health concerns or other over-looked symptoms in your medical history will help patients prepare for a quick diagnosis and determine if a sleep study is needed. Seeking a recommendation from your primary doctor will also improve the chances of coverage from your insurance company.

While your general doctor can evaluate and discuss your sleep apnea symptoms, a sleep specialist is needed to perform a sleep study. A sleep study will help determine the underlying cause of the sleep apnea, review all of your nightly symptoms, and effectively treat it altogether.

A sleep study is given in a sleep center, where a team of specialists record your body’s movements and functioning rates as you sleep. A number of sensors are attached to your face, scalp, chest, limbs and fingers in order to record the body’s sleep efforts. Records of the heart rate, blood oxygen levels, breathing patterns, eye and muscle movement and more is done throughout the night. While a home sleep study can be performed for those uncomfortable in a sleep center, a proper diagnosis is only given be professionals.

For more information on treating your sleep apnea or to make an appointment, contact our sleep apnea doctor in Pasadena.